KATHMANDU. Oct 9 : Nine teen Bhutanese of Nepalese origin began a 27-hour hunger strike here Tuesday to protest alleged atrocities and ethnic discrimination in their Himalayan homeland, reports AFP.

The group which includes five members of the Bhutan National Assembly who tied to Nepal began the fast outside the Secretariat of the seven -nation South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) of which both Nepal and the neighbouring Buddhist

Kingdom of Bhutan arc mem

In a joint statement the protestors condemned what they called gross Violations of human rights and state sane Honed atrocities being prepared by the government security forces in Bhutan.

They demanded the immediate Introduction pf trulli party democracy In Bhutan.

TIk- group Is also protesting the opening of the 7Olh session of the National Assembly in Bhutan, the first in 18 months, an Bhutanese refugee spokesriian said in a press

statement

A stalemcnl addressed to SAARC leaders alleged the opinion of the Bhulaliesc people can never be expressed in the National Assembly which has a glaringly biased composition and Is used arf a rubber stamp to give legitimacy lo an absolute monarch's decisions.

Of the 14 elected representative of Nepalese descent In the assembly. seven remain in Bhutan-after five members fled to Kathmandu one died and-another was Imprisoned.

More, than 'b5.OOO Bhutanese of Nepalese origin have

fled to Nepal since September last year following measure's introduced by King Jigme Singyc Wangchuk to enforce Drupka or indigenous Bhutanese. customs on th* whole country.

The assembly members taking part in the fast said Sunday that the revolt In Bhutan had been enforced by the King because of bar on Nepalese language in schools the enforcement of the wear ing of Drupak dress and restrictions on the Hindu religion-